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MSI 2026 play-ins open in Daejeon on June 28. T1 face Team Liquid in the headline opener, while Karmine Corp makes their first MSI appearance against Deep Cross Gaming. Here is what to watch.
MSI 2026 play-ins open in Daejeon on June 28, and the first day already delivers two must-watch BO5s. T1 take on Team Liquid to kick things off, with Karmine Corp making their first-ever MSI appearance against Deep Cross Gaming right after.
For the full tournament format and all 11 teams, check our MSI 2026 complete preview.
The play-in stage runs June 28 to July 1 at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium. Four teams compete in a double-elimination bracket, all series best-of-five using Fearless Draft. Only one team punches through to join the Main Bracket Stage starting July 3.
Win your opening match and you stay in the upper bracket. Lose, and you drop to lower bracket with one more chance to survive.
T1 enter MSI as heavy favorites 🔥. The lineup of Doran, Oner, Faker, Peyz, and Keria is the most decorated at this tournament, combining Faker's legendary presence with one of the most balanced rosters in the world. This is their fifth consecutive MSI appearance, and after runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2025, they want more than a semifinal run.
Team Liquid arrive carrying the sting of a frustrating LCS Spring. They clawed through the lower bracket to reach the grand finals, only to get swept 3-0 by LYON, as covered in the LCS Spring 2026 Grand Final recap. Support CoreJJ remains a world-class read of the game, and ADC Yeon has the mechanics to compete. If they can lean on Morgan top and Quid mid to build enough global pressure, an upset is not impossible.
T1's edge is depth. Fearless Draft demands five-game champion variety, and few rosters have as many answer picks as T1. Liquid will need to survive the opening game's draft phase before they can impose their game plan.
Prediction: T1 advance to the upper bracket. Liquid drop to lower bracket but remain a threat. 📈
The Blue Wall's first MSI starts here. Karmine Corp qualified as LEC's second seed after a dominant 3-0 win over Movistar KOI in the playoffs, and their roster carries real firepower: Canna (2025 LEC MVP) on top, Yike as vocal jungler, and Busio widely regarded as the best Western support over the past two years.
Mid laner Kyeahoo brings LCK pedigree from his time at DRX, and ADC Caliste earned LEC Rookie of the Year honors. If KC's bot lane can win lane, the rest of the squad has the individual skill to close out a BO5.
Deep Cross Gaming are the LCP wildcard. Their style tends toward fast-paced early aggression, skirmish-heavy macro, and unconventional picks. Fearless Draft actually favors this, since comfort picks disappear game by game and wild-card teams often force opponents into unfamiliar territory by game four.
Prediction: Karmine Corp take this series, but don't rule out DCG stealing a game or two 🎲.
© Riot Games
Patch 26.13 landed on June 24, four days before play-ins. The headline: Senna gets hit hard, opening up the ADC slot for a wider range of carries. Aphelios, Draven, and Kai'Sa all receive buffs, giving bot lane duos more options beyond the Senna pocket pick that dominated recent weeks.
For the full breakdown, see the LoL Patch 26.13 notes. The MSI context matters: teams that built Senna-centric strategies will need to adapt in real time, and rosters with deeper ADC pools naturally benefit. T1's Peyz is known for champion variety, which is a direct advantage on a fresh patch. The LeBlanc buffs also fit well for mid laners with a diverse pool, which includes Faker.
Fearless Draft on top of a fresh patch means no team can lean on just two or three comfort picks across a full series. Follow the LoL meta as play-in day approaches and teams start revealing their opening bans in scrims.
MSI 2026 play-ins start June 28 at 5 AM CEST at lolesports.com. Fearless Draft and a fresh patch arriving together make this one of the most unpredictable play-in stages in recent memory.
Want to back your reads with real stakes? Compete on Amber.gg in LoL ladders and community events running throughout MSI 2026 season.
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